On the outskirts, in a waste of clay and rock

unearthed when the Interstate went through,

he made his garden—leveled and cleared

the gutted soil. Then in early spring

he brought sacks of sphagnum and guano,

water in gallon jugs, since the spring rains

were never enough, and small bags of seed

with odd names: Early Girl and Black Magic;

Big Max, Straight Eight and Kentucky Wonder.

Testing, holding fast to that which was good.

Richard Spilman, via Tony Woodlief.